My entire life, I sought the language to push up against the idea that God made animals to eat. After reading Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts: Capitalism and the Politics of […]
Open Will Quam’s Fire and Clay and you’ll find your notion of Chicago (and its suburbs) transformed. You’ll suddenly notice all the brick buildings and walls and individual rectangles of […]
When Chicago-area author Megy Karydes first wrote the proposal for her book 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress, “doomscrolling” had yet to appear in the dictionary. It would soon […]
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson interviewed noted anti-racism writer Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Bridgeport Day on April 18. The New York Times-bestselling author of How to […]
Mary Casanova offers “a pine bough swaying lullaby” and “a frog croak-croaking lullaby” and “two swans born today” and “snowshoe hare, eyes so wide.” Jordan Sundberg offers deep vibrant colors […]
Rick Steves was in the spotlight this week for the Spring Chicago Humanities Festival. Steves is a travel virtuoso, activist, and humanitarian. He is known for his travel series, seen […]
It’s the early 20th century in the small Midwestern city of Freeport. Dr. Deane Franklin is a member of its upper crust, but strong-minded enough to occasionally go against the […]
In the back of my mind, I thought someone would surely write about the inestimable Margaret Anderson: editor, bohemian extraordinaire, and LGBTQ+ icon. Some day. And now someone has, Adam […]
I’m thinking about the times I’ve seen Thomas Holton perform his poetry. I’ve been lucky enough to see him a handful of times on various open mic and literary stages […]
Here are a handful of literary events happening this month in Chicago and beyond. No fooling. Reading to Support the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights April 3, 2026, […]
I drove down Cuyler Avenue the other day, and, as usual, I was reminded of Kiki Cuyler who played outfield for the Cubs from 1928 through 1935 during a 19-year […]
Hull House and its founder Jane Addams have long been recognized as pioneers in citizenship development and education for low-income and immigrant communities. A new book expands on that history […]